Impressive strides for Denis Gurianov

As Denis Gurianov sat in the locker room at American Airlines Center, just hours away from his NHL debut in the Dallas Stars regular season finale, he was surrounded by media looking for some pregame quotes. The 19-year-old Russian forward appeared a little reluctant, and it wasn't a surprise. He's been in North America less than a year and is still learning English, so getting peppered with questions by reporters can be a challenge.
But Gurianov went ahead and did the interview, talking with reporters for several minutes in English. And he did well.
"I am very excited to be here," Gurianov said. "I am a little nervous, but that's OK. I am going to try to help the team."
The interview was a sign of how far Gurianov has come since arriving in Texas last summer when those interviews with the media were done through a translator.

"It was a big adjustment for him coming over," said Stars GM Jim Nill. "He spent the summer here getting acclimated.**